Minnesota: “Universal” Background Check Legislation Introduced

This past week, state Senator Ron Latz and state Representative Dan Schoen, introduced Senate File 2493 which, if passed, would expand background checks to all sales and transfers of firearms in the state of Minnesota, with limited and narrow exceptions.  Please contact your state Senator and state Representative TODAY and politely urge them to OPPOSE SF 2493.  Please click the “Take Action” button below to contact your state Senator!

This bill, much like other anti-gun legislation, is aimed at providing a false  sense of safety while infringing upon the rights of law-abiding gun owners and those that wish to lawfully purchase a firearm.  This legislation will do nothing to prevent criminals from obtaining firearms and will only put an unnecessary burden upon law-abiding citizens. 

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 77% of criminals obtain guns through theft, on the black market, from drug dealers and other illicit sources.  Criminals, by definition, do not follow the law and are not going to subject themselves to a background check to acquire a firearm. Clearly, this proposal will do nothing to prevent gun ownership from those that wish to do others harm.  

However, the bill disproportionately puts unnecessary regulations upon responsible gun owners and purchasers.  It is a fact that 99% of those that go through a background check are approved.  This statistic proves that it will have a gross impact on law-abiding citizens.

Persons who are denied firearm purchases based on a background check are rarely, if ever, prosecuted.  Additionally, submitting false information on a federal firearms form is a felony.  It is also already illegal to knowingly transfer a firearm to a prohibited person and for a prohibited person to possess a firearm.  Instead of proposing legislation that will single-out the law-abiding, Senator Latz and Representative Schoen should encourage the enforcement of current law. 

This bill has just recently been introduced to the legislature, but we want to ensure that it does not gain support.  Please click the “Take Action” button above to contact your state Senator and state Representative and urge them to oppose S.F. 2493.  Your advocacy will help ensure the Second Amendment rights of all Minnesotans are protected.